EXCLUSIVE: Kip Moore Interview

MCA Nashville artist Kip Moore is pretty excited over the release of his debut album “Up All Night” today. The singer-songwriter wrote every track on the album, and his debut single “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” was also certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies alone. The Georgia small-town native captured his experiences in his first album, which has so far recieved rave reviews from critics around the country music world. Kip is currently out on tour with Billy Currington and David Nail.

Before you read our exclusive interview with Kip below, check out his video he sent us thanking his fans for their support:

We had the chance to ask Kip a few questions about what fans can expect from the release, how excited he really, really is, what convinced him to live in Hawaii with just a backpack, and what song on the radio he wish he wrote. Get to know Kip Moore in our exclusive interview with the singer below:

Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck has started to become an early Spring anthem for a lot of people. Are you surprised about the success so far?

100%. Of course I believe in myself, but I would have never imagined this.

You’re going to be releasing your debut album “Up All Night” this week. What can fans expect from the album?

Honesty, expect to be moved to feel a lot of different emotions on this record.

How excited are you to be releasing it?

I’m anxious, I’m scared, I’m excited, I’m a million different things in one to release “Up All Night”. I’ve been working on this project for 9 years so, there’s obviously going to be more emotions than just excitement.

Is there a song on radio right now that you wish you wrote? Why?

Springsteen by Eric Church. – I just love the whole feel of it, sonically, melodically, lyrically. I’m just a fan of what Eric does, and I wish I would have written that song.

How would you describe yourself as an artist for fans who don’t really know you yet?

Gritty. Very gritty, raw. May not sing the notes to perfection, but you’re gonna feel what I’m saying.

You’re on tour with Billy Currington and David Nail. How are the fans reactions?

It’s been insane, I mean, all the shows are sold out. You know, those two guys’ crowds are really taking on to what I’ve been doing. Billy’s been amazing; he’s been more than generous. I’ve only been on 4 shows so far but I can’t wait to do the rest of the tour. It’s been pretty out of control so far. The crowds have been rowdy and it’s been pretty nuts.

Is there one track that you consider to be your favorite or a stand-out on your new record?

Crazy one more time – its one song that you feel different about every time you hear the song. And I feel that’s what’s special about the song. You know one day it makes you really sad, and the next day it makes you really happy, the next day it makes you really miss somebody.

You moved to Hawaii after graduation with just a backpack and a friend. Who came up with that idea and is there a story behind it?

Me and my buddy, P.J. Brown were eating pizza one day on the east coast. We got real hooked on surfing. Neither one of us had any direction with our lives. I was just playing bars and clubs. We talked about moving to California, but we just said, let’s go all the way out to Hawaii. We just bought a one-way ticket and said we’d figure it out when we get there.

When was it when you figured out that music is what you wanted to do?

When I was living in Hawaii. I never knew music was an option, when I was playing all the bars and clubs back home. You’d never hear about people from my town leaving and going to Nashville. But I was writing a whole lot while living out there and that’s when I realized I could do this. P.J actually was the one who told me about people moving to Nashville, and writing, he’s kinda the one who gave me the initial push. I’m grateful for him.

What is it about country music that you fell in love with?

Stories, the storytelling. You know nowadays, Bog Segar, Jackson Browne, they would be considered your “country artist”; back then, they were something else. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Johnny Cash was always the most perfectly told story in 3 minutes. That song made me so sad so many times, because I was moving around a lot at an early age and spent a lot of Sundays alone. The honesty in the stories is what I gravitate to. I also love steel guitar.

Is there anything on your iPod that fans would be shocked you listen to?

Adele – a lot of Adele. I just think she’s one of “those” artists. People always like to talk about all the old artists, it’s like, the cool thing to do is to dig the old artists. But I think she is one of the greatest artists that’s ever lived.

What else can we expect from you in 2012?

That I will be on the bus for the entire year. I will be cranky… they can expect that [laugh] nah. They can expect a lot of live shows. I’ll be touring non-stop until December.